Restaurants mull smoke-free environments

HARBOR SPRINGS - To Jim Bartlett and other staff at the Nub's Nob ski resort, a growing desire among customers seemed worthy of their attention last year.

"We recognized that a majority of our customers were non-smoking and would really welcome a smoke-free environment," said Bartlett, the resort's general manager.

When the current ski season began last fall, Nub's instituted the last remaining step to provide that. The pub in the main lodge was designated as smoke-free, years after smoking was banned at other indoor areas at the resort.

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"I've had untold numbers of people come up to me and tell me how much nicer it is in that room without smoke," Bartlett said.

Along with customers' desires for a cleaner-air environment, Bartlett said reducing the health risks many associate with second-hand smoke and improving fire safety in the largely wooden lodge structure also were factors that weighed in favor of the change.

Still, the business researched the handful of ski resorts around the United States which had previously gone smoke-free before making the change, to ensure it could be done successfully.

Citing concerns ranging from employees' health to the preferences of clientele, many other purveyors of food and drink around Northwest Michigan have made the switch to a totally smoke-free environment in recent years.

Other local restaurant operators still see a business need to strike a balance between smokers' and nonsmokers' preferences. But two of them said they believe the time when legal restrictions or customer demands banish smoking completely from dining establishments isn't very far away.

A developing local trend?

In Charlevoix - a community which ranked ninth in the state in the rate of smoke-free restaurants per capita in 2001, according to the Michigan Department of Community Health - Judy's Restaurant made the switch to a smokefree environment a few months ago.

Judie Johnson, who owns the restaurant on Antrim Street with her husband, said customer preference led to the decision.

"We had some customers that said they wouldn't come into the establishment anymore if we were a smoking establishment," she said.

Previously, only two tables at the front of Johnson's restaurant were reserved for non-smokers.

"It was still offending people," she said. "We're very small."

The Johnsons made the decision to switch the policy after a survey of customers indicated that non-smokers outnumbered smokers by about 2-1. They posted notice of the new policy a month before the change took place.

"I think it's helped," Johnson said. "There are a few people that we don't have anymore who were smokers. But as a whole, it's been good.

"I knew that if we did it, we would lose some regular customers. I feel bad about it."

Rather than its non-smoking policy, Johnson said she'd like the business she's operated for 14 years to be known for its food and homey atmosphere.

Frank Gotts, owner of The Side Door Saloon on U.S. 31 North in Petoskey, said his restaurant/bar has seen a noticeable trend in its patrons' smoking behavior.

"We've seen a reduction of smokers," he said. "I don't know if it's the cost (associated with smoking) or the health risk."

Currently, seating at The Side Door is divided about equally between smoking and non-smoking. Like Johnson, he said some customers have suggested banning smoking entirely, while others have proposed designated non-smoking hours or segregating non-smokers in a separate room.

Gotts, a non-smoker himself, said he's considering options to create an environment more appealing for such people, but for now, financial considerations seem to call for accommodating smokers as well.

"Late-night business is younger people," he said. "If we had non-smoking, we'd put ourselves out of business for late-night.

"I'm trying to come up with a solution that pleases everyone. It's an issue that I think about at least on a weekly basis."

For Whitecaps Grille and Spirits in downtown Petoskey, health considerations were the driving force behind the smoke-free policy in effect since the restaurant's 1998 opening.

"I think it's very unhealthy," said owner Robin Morris, who has a nursing background and a husband who is a physician. "The majority of diners that come in want a smoke-free environment."

At the warmer times of year, when diners are allowed to smoke at the restaurant's outdoor tables, Morris said the prohibition on smoking isn't much of an issue. But occasionally, she said the policy has led customers to voice opposition.

"It has turned some people away," she said.

Nub's Nob's customers appreciate change

Ten miles to the northeast of Petoskey, two visitors to Nub's Nob taking a break in the pub Wednesday said they welcomed the smokeless environment.